Ten Low (Ten Low, #1)
by Stark Holborn
When I say this is gritty I mean be prepared for nauseating descriptions of bad food, the smells (and tastes) that go along with sneaking out of the enemy camp through the sewers, and everyone having hella PTSD. So, successful at what it set out to do!
I found the alien stuff interesting and fitting for the space!Western theme, although it wasn't at all what I expected. On the fence as to whether to tag this as "surreal"---lots of it certainly is, but also the surreality has an in-universe sci-fi type explanation.
I am glad this wrapped up in a satisfying place; if I had to read the next one to find out what happened, I might have tapped out. As it is, that restored some of my trust in the author, so I might actually read it.